Dump fire helps leave dark cloud over "ambitious targets" to reduce Shire landfill
Douglas rubbish
A new report about Douglas Shire waste disposal “sets ambitious targets for reducing landfill”, but shows landfill being generated from household waste may have actually increased across the past decade, including a steep rise this year following a fire at a dump in Cairns.
In the 2014/15 financial year, the “landfill diversion rate” for household waste in Douglas Shire was 90 per cent, but by 2023/24 it was at 76 per cent.
And then, in January of this year, a fire at the Cairns dump where Douglas Shire’s organic waste was previously being separated from general waste means all of DSC’s rubbish from household bins is currently going to landfill at a Tablelands dump.
Without a dedicated household green-waste bin - which many councils across Australia have - general home rubbish bins in Douglas Shire are filled with about 50 per cent green waste and 20 per cent recyclable materials, meaning only 30 per cent is legitimate landfill.
In last week’s Douglas Shire Council meeting, however, Cr Abigail Noli praised the DSC’s waste policy, saying the latest report “helps reposition the Shire as a leader in sustainable waste management.”
“(This report) sets ambitious targets for reducing landfill,” Cr Noli said.
The report states the “landfill diversion targets” for DSC have moved from 32 per cent in 2018 to 55 per cent this year, 70 per cent in 2030 and 90 per cent in 2040.
One of the primary ways these targets are expected to be achieved is through education campaigns at schools, businesses and community events, as well as supporting awareness drives such as the State Government’s Let’s Get it Sorted program.
This will mainly be done via the council’s “waste education officer”, who was hired in 2021.
One of DSC’s main stated aims is “advocacy and support of individuals and groups working to divert waste from landfill”.
There is no mention in the report of ever introducing a green waste bin to DSC households, but the council will “continue ongoing investigations for long-term opportunities”.
Mayor Lisa Scomazzon told the meeting the report clearly shows what the council’s vision and targets are.
“And it really shows how the community can put towards better recycling and how we use our waste,” she said.
Other waste-reduction initiatives mentioned include a new battery-recycling program, working with resorts to reduce tourism waste, free recycling drop-offs for households without a yellow bin and encouraging more use of the Containers for Change scheme.
All the councillors encouraged residents to read the report, which can be found at douglas.qld.gov.au/download/7.8-Adoption-of-the-Waste-Reduction-and-Recycling-Plan-2025-2030.pdf.
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